I have been posting about my daughter Dabby-dot 's C25k journey over on the Bridge to 10k forum, but just want to give a shout out to any other running duos out there on this forum, and those running solo, to wish you all good luck and I hope you are having as much fun as I have had with my daughter.
We initially started running together to help my daughter get fit for her Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition, which has been on hold during the pandemic. Sadly it is still on hold, but we have carried on regardless. I have to admit to having really enjoyed running C25k again, just for the sake of it and in such good company.
After initially pulling up injured in week 9 on my first go at C25k in 2019, I spent 6 months on the IC before restarting my journey and finally graduated last year, on the first day of the lockdown. I remember watching Boris' announcement on the evening news, desperately hoping that outdoor exercise would still be allowed and that I would be able to run my final run of week 9. It was, and I ran my graduation run the following morning. IannodaTruffe gave me the rather memorable honour of being the first graduate of the lockdown. There have been many more graduates since then, who like myself, have found C25k the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of the past 18 months. Both this forum and the Bridge to 10k forum have been an invaluable source of strength, encouragement and advice.
After C25k I took a few weeks to consolidate my runs, then used a plan created by roseabi to help me reach 5k. After that I crossed the Bridge to 10k and used both versions of The Magic Plan to reach 60 minutes and then my first (and, as yet only) 10k on my birthday last October. Since then I have continued to run through all kinds of weather in lots of different places, and always pack my trainers for tourist runs on holiday. I have visited the IC a few times (though not recently, thank goodness 🤞🏼) but always sat on it very begrudgingly and restlessly, longing to get going again. When I have been good to go, Oldfloss has always been there with kind and measured advice to remind me to take my time and to listen to what my body is telling me - I love my inner-snail 🐌 🥰. The wonderful VRBs I have met along the way continue to inspire me with their own stories, achievements and their (often wicked) sense of humour.
So today's run, Dabby-dot's penultimate C25k run, marks the ending of another running benchmark, but also a personal one, as she heads off to start uni this weekend too. I shall miss my running buddy, having always run mostly solo, so I perhaps need to recruit my husband or teenage son to fill the space until she returns home. I hope she keeps it up, especially as ParkRun happens in the park adjacent to her halls of residence.......but I remember my own student Saturday mornings........ 😉.
So, good luck to Dabby-dot for her graduation run. She posts on here, but not very often, however I shall leave that special post up to her.
For those about to graduate, good luck to you too and enjoy consolidation. Come and join us over on the Bridge to 10k forum when you are ready.
C5R3 - C25K+ Speed
Life after C25K. 
Keto and Running - C25k round 2
My two year runniversary - life beyond C25k
past 5K now!
